In 2016, Ian Ward of The South Fylde Group, started a sponsored bike ride which was to become an annual event. With the help of Dave McKee this first ride was a journey from Liverpool to Barrow-in-Furness, a distance of 140 miles, which was undertaken over two days, taking in Masonic halls on the way.
The programme was as follows;
Day 1 – Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Southport Masonic Hall, Preston Masonic Hall and The Palace, St Annes.
Day 2 – Poulton Masonic Hall, Morecambe Masonic Hall, Carnforth Masonic Hall, Grange, Ulverston Masonic Hall and Barrow Masonic Hall.
Ian recalls that the 2016 ride raised £1,400 for the two South Fylde Masonic halls, namely The Palace, St Annes and Poulton. The following year, a 130-mile ride was called “The Figure of Eight”, again over two days.
Day 1 – Poulton via Conder Green, Lancaster, Crook O’ Lune, Quernmore Valley, Garstang and Poulton.
Day 2 – The Palace via Preston, Lostock Hall, Leyland, Eccleston, Croston, Southport, Tarleton, Preston, to The Palace. Total journey distance of 130 miles.
Ian Ward said: “Following the COVID pandemic, we resumed in 2023 with the help of Blackpool Group Chairman Steve Jelly and brethren of the Blackpool Group, retracing the two-day route we took in 2016, Liverpool to Barrow. We raised an impressive £2,600 for a local cancer charity, The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Group.”
Ian continued: “This year, we decided to undertake 100 miles in a day during July, 50 miles out, from Poulton to Sedbergh, 50 miles return to Poulton. Over the years we have been well supported by the late and much missed David Winder, who was a great fan of the bike rides. I asked his widow, Sue, if she would like the monies raised to be donated to a particular charity. Sue nominated The West Lancashire Mark Charities Fund to receive the £1,300, as the charity was a great help during David’s final weeks.”
The Sedbergh 100 riders were; Steve Jelly, Geoff Etheridge of Fraternal Lodge No 4531 and Simon Walker of Quadrant Lodge No 8044. The Ride Support Crew was ably provided by Ian Ward of Quadrant Lodge and Stephen Dobson of Foxhall Lodge No 7484. Glenn O’Brien of the Lodge of Fidelity No 1256 provided all publicity.
Ian Ward added: “Our grateful thanks to all those who contributed donations to this 2024 ride. It was a delight for the cheque to be presented in the presence of the ProvGM of the Mark Degree, Keith Beardmore and his deputy Giles Berkley.
